The loop size will depend on how much wire you leave past the end of your beads, and around which part of your pliers you bend the loop. A good loop size is usually about 1/3 of the way from the tip of your pliers, with about 8mm of wire.
Use round needle-nose pliers.
If using an eye pin, decide which way you want the loop to go - the same direction as the premade loop on the other end, or 90º off. Keep this direction in mind as you bend the rest of the wire.
Cut off any excess wire (we suggest retaining 8mm above the top of your beads).
Grip the pin just above the top bead (at the arrow above), and bend the wire sharply toward you.
Grasp the tip of the wire with pliers, and bend smoothly away from you, around the pliers.
Wrapped Loops
Use chain-nose pliers to grasp the wire just above the top of the bead.
Use your fingers to bend the wire sharply over the top of the pliers, at a 90° angle. You should have 2-3mm of straight wire between the bead and the bend.
Use round-nose pliers to grasp a spot just above the bend, and use your fingers to smoothly bend the wire all the way around the tip of the pliers.
Now use pliers to grasp the wire firmly across the loop. Use your fingers or chain-nose pliers to carefully wrap the wire around the stem. For best control, experts recommend you break this step into a series of half wraps.
Trim excess with flush cutters.
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Gunmetal Head Pin, 1-1/2", Thin
☆ Rising Star
2 Reviews /
Avg Rating: 10 /10
1-1/2"(38mm) gunmetal thin head pins. 0.025" diameter (22 gauge/0.635mm). Approximately 260 pieces (1.8 gross) per oz. Soft brass with plating. Thin head pins are for small-hole beads. Black gunmetal color may range from gun blue to matte dark gray to shiny black metal.
With this thinner headpin, I can use beads that were no doubt drilled with a human hair. Love the color. Works so well, even in a design using two metals.
Son of a Gun...metal
By Rebekah G. on 7/1/2011
I use these with gunmetal-plated chain, and they look great! Sturdy, but not too hard to manipulate with jeweler's pliers. ~Rebekah G.
